Find The Music Of Your Soul

I can’t imagine a day in my life without music. Whether it’s background sound while I’m at work or I’ve got a cd playing while I’m on the computer. For that matter I may even explore the web to see what a favorite artist might be up to and discover some group or sound that is new to me.

I am so disappointed in commercial radio. Instead of being in the forefront of new music, commercial radio chooses to play it safe and program to the masses. That’s why Middle America is inundated with classic rock, top 40 and popular country radio stations. And the worst thing that has happened to commercial radio is the deregulation that has allowed for corporate commercial radio to fill the airwaves of the small rural radio station with what ever is the latest and greatest moneymaker on the outer coasts. Gone are the days when the radio airwaves were as regionally distinctive as the people you met there.

I am not saying that folk in Iowa don’t want to hear what Californians are listing to. What I am saying is that folk in Iowa may be missing what’s happening musically in Iowa, Missouri or Minnesota because the corporate giant in California has determined the play list for that small town Iowa radio station it now owns. Some really great bands may be lost in the shuffle because they weren’t able to catch on with the right agency or make a trip to the coast to finally get their big break.

My point to you is this, explore music for yourself. Step out of your comfort zone once in a while and see what else might touch your soul. Surf the web and tour what else is out there. Discover the music that fills your life. Once you’ve found it, share it with a friend.

Looking At The New Year

2006 is just hours away and I have to admit that I am looking forward to it. It's odd how we hold a single date on the calendar as the end or start point for our lives. New Years resolutions, new beginnings or even a rebirth. The New Year offers us an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over. There really is no reason why we could not have specified November 7th as the date we would start our new diet. We've decided to hold out until January 1st.

I am looking forward to the new year though. There truly are a number of fun, new things ahead for me. If you're reading this you probably already know that my daughter is now playing club volleyball. After the first of the year she will begin her first competitive season in club volleyball. I look forward to this because I enjoy watching my daughter enjoy herself, competing at a high level. The club volleyball season also brings new opportunities for some travel with the team. I think this could be a great time.

I started a new job last July. This position looks to give me some more flexibility in my scheduling of free time. I just may get to do a bit more fishing this year. After spending time with my family, there is nothing I would rather do than spend my time fishing.

I'm also looking forward to the spring of the season. As I get older I find I enjoy the birds so much more. To see them in my trees and to hear them sing outside my open bedroom window just at dawn.

Late in this holiday season I have been wishing my friends find JOY in their New Year. I wish this also for you, my family and myself. If we could all find more Joy in our lives, I think we would look for more ways to share that Joy with others around us.

So, for 2006 I wish you Joy and Laughter. May you find some of each in every day.

Take The Time

My daughter has been involved in dance either in studio or competition for the past 12 years. For the past three years I have been fortunate enough to have my views on the dance team printed in the local, small town newspaper. For the past five years my daughter has been playing volleyball. During practices I have been known to hang out and shag volleyballs or help out the coach with a drill. For a couple of years I sat next to the coach and took team stats. Most recently I’ve been a line judge and active member of the booster club. Previously my daughter had played some soccer and I helped out as an assistant coach.

My point is, I’m involved. I believe that my daughter appreciates having me around. I make every effort not to call special attention to her personally. When I cheer, I cheer for the team. She is my only child and I enjoy watching her enjoying herself.

I understand that not all parents can be as involved. But what I witnessed last week just made me sick. Here was a young dancer asking her mother to stay at a high school basketball game until half time so that the mother could see her daughter dance with her teammates. The dancer not only was in the performance but had also been involved with the choreography. The mother was arguing with her daughter that she was not going to sit around at a basketball game, waiting for her daughter to dance.

I don’t know the mother may have had some other time commitment already. I know there are other siblings that may have also been placing demands on this mother’s time. But to hear this argumentative, negative response and see the disappointment on the dancers face was very sad. How long will this mother have an opportunity to see her daughter enjoying an activity that she loves? What if this young lady is already on the edge of making questionable choices? When will this mother devote 45 minutes to share her daughter’s joy?

Not everyone can be as involved as I am. Not everyone wants to be as involved as I am. Not everyone should be as involved as I am. But every parent should try to make time for those special events in their child’s life. That time spent could be the memories and life lessons that our kids will take with them into their adulthood.